Public Statements

E-Memo #71

Floor Speech

Last week the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act (HR477) for consideration by the full House of Representatives. Congressman Chip Pickering is the lead Republican sponsor of this bill, which seeks to prevent and more effectively treat strokes to save lives, improve recovery, and lower health care costs. The STOP Stroke Act:

- Helps states fight stroke by establishing a grant program to ensure stroke patients have access to quality care;

- Authorizes the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and creates a clearinghouse to provide technical assistance to states to share the best practices in stroke treatment and prevention;

- Raises public awareness by authorizing funding for a national public information campaign to educate the public about stroke, including how to prevent it, recognize the warning signs, and seek emergency treatment as soon as symptoms occur.

VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT:

Wednesday the House of Representatives passed the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007 which directs an increase (as of December 1, 2007) to the rates of veterans' wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children of veterans. The measure moves next to the Senate.

MILITARY ACADEMY DAY:

Congressman Chip Pickering will hold his annual Military Academy Day this Saturday, March 24 at Madison Central High School in Madison County from 9:00am until 11:00am. This event provides interested students and parents an opportunity to learn more about our nation's military academies, requirements for admission and the appointment process. The event is free and open to the public. High school students preparing for college within the next couple of years and considering the service academies should attend. Junior high students interested in the service academies are also encouraged to attend and begin the process early. For more details contact Steve Guyton in Congressman Pickering's Pearl Office at 601-932-2410. Madison Central High School is located at 1417 Highland Colony Parkway in Madison, Mississippi. (For more information: http://www.house.gov/pickering/releases/mar07/milacad.htm)

CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION:

Congressman Chip Pickering announces the annual Congressional Art Competition, open to students in the 9th through 12th grade in Mississippi's Third Congressional District. The winning entry will hang in the US Capitol for a year and the winner will be able to attend an awards ceremony in Washington DC. The deadline for entries is Friday, March 30. Drop off entries at any of Congressman Pickering's district offices (Pearl, Meridian, Starkville, Brookhaven and Natchez). Students wishing to participate or needing additional information should contact their high school art department or principal, or they may call Cindy Fish in Congressman Pickering's Pearl Office at 601-932-2410. (For more information: http://www.house.gov/pickering/releases/mar07/art.htm)